Linear vs. circular

 

There are two kinds of attacks: linear and circular. A linear attack follows the path of a straight line, such as a reverse punch. A circular attack follows an arched path, such as a roundhouse kick.  

Traditional taekwondo stresses re-chambering as a way to add additional powerful strikes. This implies the use of linear attacks. Circular attacks do not re-chamber between strikes, thus time, power, and momentum are preserved. At the end of a linear strike, the momentum stops and is reversed creating wasted time. When a boxer throws two jabs in a row, the time between jabs is spent re-chambering and therefore is wasted time. Yet, when a boxer uses a speed bag, he/she uses circular strikes and retains the same amount of power with increased speed and efficiency.